Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-11-25

mere Kingsley stopped. dismounted
united my feet, motioned me to enter
the cabin and followed me-
The only occupant OF the place was
little, thin. half-starved yellow
woman. She seemed scared to death"
when we Invaded her poor place, but
on demand furnished us n drink of
water. and Kingsley piece of corn
bread. She gave me one. but he struc k
it from her hand. saying:
Let the--Yankee staryer'
his gave her clew To the whole
situation and | could see that she
sympath 'zed with me. but was power
less to give me aid. Several times she
made excuses and tried to 90 out but
was ordered, with many oaths to re-
ma n where she was.
VIII not attempt to describe nv
feelings, they can easily be imagined.
The thoughts of snch an ignoble end
ing 10 an extended and somewhat
creditable military career was what
troubled me most. But / knew that
nothing short OF m racle could save
me.
Kengsley had been frequent in his at
tontions 10 the canteen of whisky dur
ing our ride and now he had it at his
mouth every few minutes. With every
drink his rage increased. and he pour
Ell upoa my head all the vile curses and
foul names he could think of or invent.
He kicked and cuiled me. struck me
almost stunning blows on the head with
the butt Of his revolver. and took
deyili-h pleasure in picturing the tor
mentS to VIII ch would he subjected.
From the way he tilted the canteen
could see that it would soon be empty.
and | fully expected that my life would
end with the liquor
He was mad with rage and drunken-
ness.
He drained the last drop and threw
the vessel from him. then sal for "a time
moody silence, casting glanccs of
hate at me and playing With his re-
golycr.
AT last, with terrible oath that he
would finish me now. he roso and
placed the pistol whiting three nche.
of my forehead.
lie meant 10 Kill me. | could sec It In
his eyes. He delayed moment in
pulling the trigger The Little black
woman 'prang for him and gra-ped his
arms.
"Not here. not here," she cried pito.
ously.
The man turned upon her. was SO
lied hand and foot, that could neither
aid nor escape. That woman clung to
nm he could not shake her of. nor
could his blows hurt her much at such
lose quarters.
Two shots he fired without effect
while the woman struggled and with
ID and wound herself about him.
To more easily grasp her he must
ave Ioosened his hold on the pistol. at
Ill events it flew from hi, hand and fell
behind an old box that was standing in
corner. His hands both free, he
eized the poor creature by the throat,
hoked her almost into insenslLiil,,
hen fled and slammed" her in Il
elpless mass on the dirty floor
There was no hope for me now
Painting with his exertions he made ,,
is way to the box. and his head turn
Il to watch me, grouped with his hand
Or the pistol.
Muttcring hot curses he fumbled ,
round for moment or two, then gave
start, a On elk glance at the dark cav a.,
Y and uttered fearful yell. strt ght-
ned mp, and saw the most fright.ul.
'rror-strcken face my eyes ever look
/ upon.
In a second a long. TIM, black body ;
lided across the floor and out of the =
DOR. 1t was ahuge ratllcsnake. and -,
5 fangs had closed we'll and deadly in =
le hand of my would-be-assassin.
The courage amt brayado were all =
one from h IN. He called upon the !
oman. on me. on lIcayon. to ad HIM .
he woman was still scnseless. | was :
1und so could not move. and for a
ng time | was forced to witness the =
ost terri bic sight of my life. =
AT last the black mistress Of the i
ace recovered. In dazed way she :,
w that our enemy was Frustrated; :, :,
Ie cut the ropes that bound me. and -
9TH of us did what we could to all the :,
lhappy wretch. The quor no had II
ank made the poison more slow in its ~
feet but it was not able to save him. 8,
e had no remedies. and the woman i
uld tell me uf no place near By where ?,
might procure help. .,
In less than three hours, as near as =,
could Judge, Kingsley was a bloated b,
rpse, more revolving even in death
an in lite. h,
He had taken my trousers as n,